HPV testing in self-collected samples

Abstract

Women have problems accessing screening services due to a complexity of factors that includesocio-economic conditions, subjective factors and cultural values and norms, and health services organization and management. Self-collection of a vaginal sample for HPV testing gives them the possibility of collecting the sample by themselves, in a private room, with no other person looking at their body. is unique characteristic of HPV-testing makes it a revolutionary tool for screening programs. After decades of work to understand and try to overcome barriers faced by women to access screen- ing, the medical community has a tool that allows overcoming some of the most important problems, for example the shame of the gynecological visit or the scar- city of sample takers in remote areas. Studies carried out in different settings have shown that it is highly accepted by women.